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The Order of Architects #1
The Order of Architects #1
The next book of the The Order of Architects (Book 2): A Portal Progression Fantasy Series -
I used to be the greatest Earth Mage in my world. The head of the entire Order of Architects. But the older you get, the more you come to realize that at some point, you need to retire, so that you can have the chance to enjoy a peaceful life and to cede your place to the young, some of whom have already turned two thousand years old…
So that’s what I did. I had everything I could ever want, and even more besides. But I failed to account for one during the course of my long life, I’d accumulated too many enemies, and they had decided to spoil my retirement. So they died along with me. And I hope their deaths were final. But mine was not!
I’ve been reborn in a strange new world, and I now need to start over. I still have all my experience and memories, but what about my power? I’ve managed to climb to the top once already; I can do it again! And it’s crucial that I do so before this world is consumed by the beasts from the Shadow Plane…
I used to be the greatest Earth Mage in my world. The head of the entire Order of Architects. But the older you get, the more you come to realize that at some point, you need to retire, so that you can have the chance to enjoy a peaceful life and to cede your place to the young, some of whom have already turned two thousand years old…
So that’s what I did. I had everything I could ever want, and even more besides. But I failed to account for one during the course of my long life, I’d accumulated too many enemies, and they had decided to spoil my retirement. So they died along with me. And I hope their deaths were final. But mine was not!
I’ve been reborn in a strange new world, and I now need to start over. I still have all my experience and memories, but what about my power? I’ve managed to climb to the top once already; I can do it again! And it’s crucial that I do so before this world is consumed by the beasts from the Shadow Plane…
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2024
1175 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
August 1, 2024
Let's start at the beginning. Confusion straight confusion. After three pages I found myself looking at the book to make sure I was reading book number one.
Second, our MC is a one-trick pony in the personality department. His reaction to anything that annoys him is "should I kill it?" And he does indeed kill lots of people. And wouldn't you know it more people keep showing up to die. Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat.
Second, our MC is a one-trick pony in the personality department. His reaction to anything that annoys him is "should I kill it?" And he does indeed kill lots of people. And wouldn't you know it more people keep showing up to die. Rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat.
May 9, 2024
Book one
This is another book that made it to publication before I was able to get to the ARC that I had received. Don't worry about the mistakes that I found and have listed.
I'm sure that they will be corrected soon.
This story was good. It captured my attention and kept it. I personally found the book a little short at less than 350 pages. It was a good way to spend a day though.
8/10
This is another book that made it to publication before I was able to get to the ARC that I had received. Don't worry about the mistakes that I found and have listed.
I'm sure that they will be corrected soon.
This story was good. It captured my attention and kept it. I personally found the book a little short at less than 350 pages. It was a good way to spend a day though.
8/10
July 9, 2024
Russian lit. Where half of it makes no sense, we are meant to celebrate when our sociopathic OP hero out-villains the villains, everyone is struggling to out-corrupt their neighbors, women can only be witches or crones, and there’s not an ounce of joy to be had.
This one is pretty average in the genre. I’ll likely read the next one.
This one is pretty average in the genre. I’ll likely read the next one.
November 8, 2024
Just put this one back. The flattest MC I’ve ever encountered. Dialogue is awkward at best but mostly stilted and improbable. Inner dialogue is often megalomaniacal word salad. Setting is a unfortunate blend of late 19th century Europe and futuristic technology … with a healthy squeeze of a poorly defined magic structure. Oh, and the author doesn’t know how to write a female character nor how human relationships work.
May 15, 2024
A very passive main character.
That makes a very slow story incredibly boring. The main character is not reactionary, he is inert. This lacks direction and so, it has no progress.
That makes a very slow story incredibly boring. The main character is not reactionary, he is inert. This lacks direction and so, it has no progress.
July 3, 2024
Not for me
I read up to 17% of the book and said NOPE!
The way the book is laid out in the beginning is extremely confusing; I had no idea what was actually happening, or what kind of world the character lived in. Then to find out the main character is a self absorbed psycho, who has no problem killing people because they don't matter and only he is awesome and amazing was a bit too much to sit through and read.
I have no idea if there is any actual character development as the book was to painful to sit through.
Good luck and I hope you like it better than I did.
I read up to 17% of the book and said NOPE!
The way the book is laid out in the beginning is extremely confusing; I had no idea what was actually happening, or what kind of world the character lived in. Then to find out the main character is a self absorbed psycho, who has no problem killing people because they don't matter and only he is awesome and amazing was a bit too much to sit through and read.
I have no idea if there is any actual character development as the book was to painful to sit through.
Good luck and I hope you like it better than I did.
April 9, 2025
bate and switch
To be honest the books was good my issue is that the first book was available on kindleunlimited and the rest are 8.99. To be clear I have no problem spending money on books and buy just as many as I get from kindleunlimited but the act of make the firsts free and charging for the rest seems more like that of a drug dealer than an author.
To be honest the books was good my issue is that the first book was available on kindleunlimited and the rest are 8.99. To be clear I have no problem spending money on books and buy just as many as I get from kindleunlimited but the act of make the firsts free and charging for the rest seems more like that of a drug dealer than an author.
May 21, 2024
Sigh
I really don't like books where the story goes bad for the M.C. and then it goes Wait 30 pages ago I did something genius to save the day now.
This whole book is just like that.
I really don't like books where the story goes bad for the M.C. and then it goes Wait 30 pages ago I did something genius to save the day now.
This whole book is just like that.
July 25, 2024
not good
The story has things that would be cool. But it all gets lost the more you read.
It might get better the more you read but I just can’t do it. I can see it getting better.
The story has things that would be cool. But it all gets lost the more you read.
It might get better the more you read but I just can’t do it. I can see it getting better.
May 9, 2024
very good story, excellent MC.
I enjoyed this book very much, I enjoyed the authors characters that he has developed. They’re smart quick with it and practical. The only issues I have with the stories that he writes are the characters start off week and have to grow stronger and it seems to take a long time for this development to happen for the MC. The second issue I have is that the first book is in KU and then probably all subsequent books I will have to purchase, honestly the stories get you hooked so you want to continue reading. that’s not a bad thing except for my wallet. We’ll go ahead and read the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this book very much, I enjoyed the authors characters that he has developed. They’re smart quick with it and practical. The only issues I have with the stories that he writes are the characters start off week and have to grow stronger and it seems to take a long time for this development to happen for the MC. The second issue I have is that the first book is in KU and then probably all subsequent books I will have to purchase, honestly the stories get you hooked so you want to continue reading. that’s not a bad thing except for my wallet. We’ll go ahead and read the next book in the series.
May 6, 2024
A fun read
I love these authors. They are a automatic buy from me. This book definitely met my expectations and I can’t wait for the next one, of all their books.
I love these authors. They are a automatic buy from me. This book definitely met my expectations and I can’t wait for the next one, of all their books.
June 18, 2025
This book was originally written in Russian and the version I read is a translation. It's possible that the writing is much better in the original, but the writing in the translation was terrible. The dialog was amateurish, the internal dialog was arrogant and amateurish, and the descriptions were badly done.
The basic plot wasn't bad. The protagonist was an extremely powerful "Gifted" (magician or superhero) who was reincarnated into a new world after he died. His new family was socially prominent, but abusive. At age 18, he has left home, apparently under a cloud. He is also just now coming into his powers.
After arriving in Vaduz, Liechtenstein (for mildly ridiculous reasons), he begins to set himself up and to try to separate himself from his family.
While this book was quite stupid in nearly every way, it still managed to be entertaining. I can't recommend it, but somehow I'm looking forward to the next volume in the series.
The basic plot wasn't bad. The protagonist was an extremely powerful "Gifted" (magician or superhero) who was reincarnated into a new world after he died. His new family was socially prominent, but abusive. At age 18, he has left home, apparently under a cloud. He is also just now coming into his powers.
After arriving in Vaduz, Liechtenstein (for mildly ridiculous reasons), he begins to set himself up and to try to separate himself from his family.
While this book was quite stupid in nearly every way, it still managed to be entertaining. I can't recommend it, but somehow I'm looking forward to the next volume in the series.
April 8, 2025
Good gods where do I start. So the protagonist is a self-absorbed douchebag who thinks everyone else is beneath him, he kill SO many people just because he can. To say the world is flat is doing paper a disservice, I could tell you maybe one thing about the Russia this novel takes place in.
The structuring is also kind of weird, I was confused to all hell and back for the first third of the book, because chapters dont so much follow a plot as things just happen with almost no discernible reason. Theodore, our protagonist, also just so happens to follow in the footsteps of Empress Theresa on the road to Gary Stu-ness, he faces basically zero consequences and just succeeds at literally EVERYTHING.
The only reason why this is two stars is because it can be somewhat entertaining when some major class-a dickhead gets his just desserts.
The structuring is also kind of weird, I was confused to all hell and back for the first third of the book, because chapters dont so much follow a plot as things just happen with almost no discernible reason. Theodore, our protagonist, also just so happens to follow in the footsteps of Empress Theresa on the road to Gary Stu-ness, he faces basically zero consequences and just succeeds at literally EVERYTHING.
The only reason why this is two stars is because it can be somewhat entertaining when some major class-a dickhead gets his just desserts.
May 15, 2024
I finished it
So…there’s that.
The cultural flavor was not something I enjoyed. Everyone being somewhat amoral is not really what I like. I don’t insist on the MC being a hero heroing heroically, but I want *someone* to be worthy of respect.
It talked a lot about being an architect, but it didn’t really explore anything unusual.
I’m not going to be continuing with this series. It’s readable, but it’s just not that interesting.
So…there’s that.
The cultural flavor was not something I enjoyed. Everyone being somewhat amoral is not really what I like. I don’t insist on the MC being a hero heroing heroically, but I want *someone* to be worthy of respect.
It talked a lot about being an architect, but it didn’t really explore anything unusual.
I’m not going to be continuing with this series. It’s readable, but it’s just not that interesting.
July 30, 2025
Hard to find polite words to describe this work.
I’ve read plenty amateur writers’ books - this one was by far the worst written. Almost like reading a 12 year old’s first attempt at a story.
Protagonist has literally zero personality. The whole over powered and bored viewpoint is soooo overdone.
Left this book 20 pages in
I’ve read plenty amateur writers’ books - this one was by far the worst written. Almost like reading a 12 year old’s first attempt at a story.
Protagonist has literally zero personality. The whole over powered and bored viewpoint is soooo overdone.
Left this book 20 pages in
September 2, 2025
First book Kindle unlimited, next book $ 8.95. Amazon lets author miss represent series as Kindle unlimited and after reading first book under the guise of being included with membership dues you find the deception. The pre-purchase descriptive page should advise reader entire series is not included with Kindle membership.
April 19, 2025
Bait and Switch
DO NOT GET THIS BOOK!!!! These witers put their first book under unlimited category and put the rest of the series under having to buy books category. I can't stand writers like that, they don't deserve a good rating.
DO NOT GET THIS BOOK!!!! These witers put their first book under unlimited category and put the rest of the series under having to buy books category. I can't stand writers like that, they don't deserve a good rating.
June 17, 2024
I picked this book up solely because Oleg Sapphire was one of the authors that had been working on it and he's been on a roll man. This book is the beginning of a new series and the third book I've read by him this year. Kinda wasting time while waiting for his next book in Healer's Way, one of my favorite sagas. But really is it a waste of time when I know that I'm gonna enjoy reading this
The Order of Architects may sound like a boring book, after all what's an architect going bring to the table, but you'd be surprised man! This architect, Theodore does soooooooo much more than just architecture, starting with making golems in order to kill the vermin living within the walls of the ramshackle house he's renting. And of course his family only wants to use and make Theodore their dogs body not only sponging off his wealth but also gaining his prestige so the family name will shine again. Believe you me there's always a family that has to be put down or at least in their place. Currently Theodore's main problem is getting cash quickly, and staying solvent. Unfortunately I wasn't ready for the book's end. So yeah I'll need more.
Go grab the book and you'll see what I mean.
Here's a quote that amused me:
"What the hell is it doing?! My golem was dragging a small, one might even say women’s size, pistol through its tunnel and heading toward a mouse hole."
The Order of Architects may sound like a boring book, after all what's an architect going bring to the table, but you'd be surprised man! This architect, Theodore does soooooooo much more than just architecture, starting with making golems in order to kill the vermin living within the walls of the ramshackle house he's renting. And of course his family only wants to use and make Theodore their dogs body not only sponging off his wealth but also gaining his prestige so the family name will shine again. Believe you me there's always a family that has to be put down or at least in their place. Currently Theodore's main problem is getting cash quickly, and staying solvent. Unfortunately I wasn't ready for the book's end. So yeah I'll need more.
Go grab the book and you'll see what I mean.
Here's a quote that amused me:
"What the hell is it doing?! My golem was dragging a small, one might even say women’s size, pistol through its tunnel and heading toward a mouse hole."
May 23, 2024
Interesting concept not executed well, Characters poorly developed
I throughly enjoyed the concept, the architect base, and the MC for the most part. The main points of the story itself was fine.
Several points in this book did not make sense. The main character ends up killing around 90-95% of people he meets. The author kinda chocks it up as that kind of neighborhood or city. Still completely unrealistic even in a fantasy settings. The side characters themselves almost all are selfish thug types with little variety. It seemingly makes the MC the only “good” guy in the story.
The MC parents are see easily hateable and unrealistic that they seem like a kids show villian from something like power rangers or the like.
My only other issue is they make a big deal about the family estate that he owns, he doesn’t even use it. Its supposedly being watched, but the mc is already getting flak for being who he is. He even flaunts the family ring here and there. Why doesn’t he live there, somebody already attempts to murder him 2-3 times a day.
I throughly enjoyed the concept, the architect base, and the MC for the most part. The main points of the story itself was fine.
Several points in this book did not make sense. The main character ends up killing around 90-95% of people he meets. The author kinda chocks it up as that kind of neighborhood or city. Still completely unrealistic even in a fantasy settings. The side characters themselves almost all are selfish thug types with little variety. It seemingly makes the MC the only “good” guy in the story.
The MC parents are see easily hateable and unrealistic that they seem like a kids show villian from something like power rangers or the like.
My only other issue is they make a big deal about the family estate that he owns, he doesn’t even use it. Its supposedly being watched, but the mc is already getting flak for being who he is. He even flaunts the family ring here and there. Why doesn’t he live there, somebody already attempts to murder him 2-3 times a day.
May 6, 2024
I received a review copy of this book.
The Order of Architects is the first in a new series, and it's a winner folks. If you like stories where the bad guys get what's coming to them, then you absolutely must add this book to your read shelf. The writing is amusing, the story is lighthearted (well, as lighthearted as it can be with folks being dropped into holes and covered up), but the storytelling is top notch. It's supposed to be a LitRPG tale, but while there's not very much of the stats, skills, levels and things you'd expect in a normal LitRPG story, there is at least a bit of core development, so cultivator fans will probably enjoy this one, though I urge anyone who enjoys humor to give this one a shot, it's certainly worth the reading time to be sure.
The Order of Architects is the first in a new series, and it's a winner folks. If you like stories where the bad guys get what's coming to them, then you absolutely must add this book to your read shelf. The writing is amusing, the story is lighthearted (well, as lighthearted as it can be with folks being dropped into holes and covered up), but the storytelling is top notch. It's supposed to be a LitRPG tale, but while there's not very much of the stats, skills, levels and things you'd expect in a normal LitRPG story, there is at least a bit of core development, so cultivator fans will probably enjoy this one, though I urge anyone who enjoys humor to give this one a shot, it's certainly worth the reading time to be sure.
May 14, 2024
Quite funny!
The alternative history setup is as usual bizarre - a Holy German Empire without Austria, an independent Liechtenstein populated by Russians, noble Russians but thuggish Austrians.. The currency of Liechtenstein is Rubles for some bizarre reason..
I truly enjoyed the no-nonsense attitude of the protagonist and his constant hilarious interactions with a plethora of antagonists. The despiction of the corrupt bureaucracy and the protagonist´s family were entertaining even though i wonder how the family intends to make a real profit given all their efforts to catch the protagonist...
Most contemporary Russian authors really seemed to be enarmoured with aristocracy while simultanously despising them..
I am looking forward to reading the next book of the series!!
The alternative history setup is as usual bizarre - a Holy German Empire without Austria, an independent Liechtenstein populated by Russians, noble Russians but thuggish Austrians.. The currency of Liechtenstein is Rubles for some bizarre reason..
I truly enjoyed the no-nonsense attitude of the protagonist and his constant hilarious interactions with a plethora of antagonists. The despiction of the corrupt bureaucracy and the protagonist´s family were entertaining even though i wonder how the family intends to make a real profit given all their efforts to catch the protagonist...
Most contemporary Russian authors really seemed to be enarmoured with aristocracy while simultanously despising them..
I am looking forward to reading the next book of the series!!
June 2, 2024
An enjoyable book, but disappointed at the end
I enjoy the authors' books, but I always seem to encounter the same complaints.
The writing and characters are pretty great. But the story is always a little slow, with a ton of threads starting up with very little resolved, which leaves me feeling like nothing has happened. Then, nothing resolves at the end, always leaving a big cliffhanger.
The authors seem to often list all books in the series when only the first is out. So when I pick up the first, at a glance, it looks like more are ready to read, when they are not.
Most authors that I read tend only to list the next in the series if it is close to coming out. Listing two that are in the future, with the next one 6 months down the line, rubs me the wrong way.
I enjoy the authors' books, but I always seem to encounter the same complaints.
The writing and characters are pretty great. But the story is always a little slow, with a ton of threads starting up with very little resolved, which leaves me feeling like nothing has happened. Then, nothing resolves at the end, always leaving a big cliffhanger.
The authors seem to often list all books in the series when only the first is out. So when I pick up the first, at a glance, it looks like more are ready to read, when they are not.
Most authors that I read tend only to list the next in the series if it is close to coming out. Listing two that are in the future, with the next one 6 months down the line, rubs me the wrong way.
June 16, 2024
Odd combo of slice of Life and reincarnation
This was an odd combination but not a bad book. Seems to be Eastern European author or maybe a translation so there's some things that don't translate 100%, but that's mostly not an issue.
The protagonist is a pretty good character unfortunately there's a lot of plot armor in this book not helping him but basically hurting him. It's a little heavy-handed with how pretty much everyone with very very very few exceptions tries to screw him over.
The laments about lacking the power that he had in the previous life of you kind of get tedious but it's not horrible and although it's more progression than specifically lit RPG there is growth.
This was an odd combination but not a bad book. Seems to be Eastern European author or maybe a translation so there's some things that don't translate 100%, but that's mostly not an issue.
The protagonist is a pretty good character unfortunately there's a lot of plot armor in this book not helping him but basically hurting him. It's a little heavy-handed with how pretty much everyone with very very very few exceptions tries to screw him over.
The laments about lacking the power that he had in the previous life of you kind of get tedious but it's not horrible and although it's more progression than specifically lit RPG there is growth.
August 21, 2024
The problem here is, there is no real story. Apparently, the very arrogant and unlikeable MC has done everything on every dang world and knows it all. We kept being reminded of this in EVERY FREAKING chapter. Oh I used to BE this in my previous life ooooh I use to DO this in my previous life.. This MC is a kid, he has been cooped up in the house for most of his life. There is zero explanation for how he gained all this knowledge of the current world, On top of that he is a freaking murder hobo, killing just about everything who looks or talks to him the wrong way. There is no plot, nada, zip zero. How about the authors stop with the page filler nonsense and tell an actual story?
October 16, 2024
A slow beginning, however the storyline developed well after several chapters.
This had a rough beginning with a convoluted storyline and narrative of the main character. The main character had no redeeming qualities in the beginning as he tried to explain his new existence based on his past life. Several chapters in I'm glad I gave it the chance to develop. The story became more engaging as the main character was fleshed out, and the main characters self narrative stopped jumping from present to past and back again within the same paragraphs and dialogue expose. Overall it's a good first book, it suffers from editing in the beginning is the worst part. However the book ends up creating an interesting story with the main character who starts to find himself.
This had a rough beginning with a convoluted storyline and narrative of the main character. The main character had no redeeming qualities in the beginning as he tried to explain his new existence based on his past life. Several chapters in I'm glad I gave it the chance to develop. The story became more engaging as the main character was fleshed out, and the main characters self narrative stopped jumping from present to past and back again within the same paragraphs and dialogue expose. Overall it's a good first book, it suffers from editing in the beginning is the worst part. However the book ends up creating an interesting story with the main character who starts to find himself.
June 21, 2024
Starts slow!
I really did not like the main character in the first few chapters of this book. I was on the verge of returning this book unfinished, but the story suddenly became interesting. The MC is an arrogant Richard cranium with all the charm of the Grinch. As the story goes on I realized that is what he is supposed to be. I liked how he grows and develops throughout the story. By the end of the book I was looking forward to a sequel.
The story does need some support characters. Aside from brief mentions of his parents there are no other characters that get more than a couple of paragraphs.
Final opinion! Worth the read!
I really did not like the main character in the first few chapters of this book. I was on the verge of returning this book unfinished, but the story suddenly became interesting. The MC is an arrogant Richard cranium with all the charm of the Grinch. As the story goes on I realized that is what he is supposed to be. I liked how he grows and develops throughout the story. By the end of the book I was looking forward to a sequel.
The story does need some support characters. Aside from brief mentions of his parents there are no other characters that get more than a couple of paragraphs.
Final opinion! Worth the read!
August 25, 2024
Don't read if you don't like the typical Russian litrpg tropes. Very, very Russian writing which I do typically enjoy, although how much the MC gets sidetracked with digressions while thinking is frustrating at times. His thoughts read quite scattered although inflated with extreme confidence as an overpowered reincarnated character.
There's a typical Russian political battle although not super fleshed out in this first novel as he instead spends time building wealth from the slums. Also typical Russian plot where basically everyone wants to kill him, the government is completely corrupt, nobles run free without laws etc.
I liked the novel but it's likely not for everyone.
There's a typical Russian political battle although not super fleshed out in this first novel as he instead spends time building wealth from the slums. Also typical Russian plot where basically everyone wants to kill him, the government is completely corrupt, nobles run free without laws etc.
I liked the novel but it's likely not for everyone.
June 18, 2024
Good plot, but lots of tangents in his inner monologue
I liked it, seems to be in the same universe as his hunter books. Similar character too but magic instead of sword. Really only complaint is the twistiness. The inner monologue is 3 times as long as it needs to be because of reminiscing about the past and present problems aren’t solved quickly for various nonsensical reasons.
Basically there are a lot of twists and turns is his thoughts and emotions that only seem to exists to provide speed bumps in the plot slightly later.
I liked it, seems to be in the same universe as his hunter books. Similar character too but magic instead of sword. Really only complaint is the twistiness. The inner monologue is 3 times as long as it needs to be because of reminiscing about the past and present problems aren’t solved quickly for various nonsensical reasons.
Basically there are a lot of twists and turns is his thoughts and emotions that only seem to exists to provide speed bumps in the plot slightly later.
July 28, 2024
Very good, but...
First off, this book was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to sequels.
That being said, I am somewhat hesitant to recommend this. The first and biggest reason is that the ending is just there. It is very jarring. I would equate it to the cliffhanger endings that were used in old-time radio dramas. The second is that follow-up books may not be available on KU (or at libraries, for that matter.
Recommend, but with caveats.
First off, this book was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to sequels.
That being said, I am somewhat hesitant to recommend this. The first and biggest reason is that the ending is just there. It is very jarring. I would equate it to the cliffhanger endings that were used in old-time radio dramas. The second is that follow-up books may not be available on KU (or at libraries, for that matter.
Recommend, but with caveats.
October 4, 2024
Good but sometimes annoying
Part of me wants to give 5 stars as there are really good parts to the story. The world building isn't bad but the near earth yet divergent nature seems to be there to both brag about and ridicule Russia coming off to me as annoying.
The MC is an interesting mix of overpowered and weak (for now) but he never really finds any issues once he has magic and that happens right after this story starts. He has an interesting mix of moral, criminal, and lawful? His choices and actions make for quite an entertaining read.
Part of me wants to give 5 stars as there are really good parts to the story. The world building isn't bad but the near earth yet divergent nature seems to be there to both brag about and ridicule Russia coming off to me as annoying.
The MC is an interesting mix of overpowered and weak (for now) but he never really finds any issues once he has magic and that happens right after this story starts. He has an interesting mix of moral, criminal, and lawful? His choices and actions make for quite an entertaining read.
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